Updated COVID-19 Requirements For Summer Travel.
These last two years, stuck in the pandemic, have put a real damper on everyone’s travel plans and definitely our daily moods. That’s why this summer it is so important that we make up for lost time! Now since the Caribbean and Europe are the traditional hotspots for summer travel, I wanted to give you guys some updates on COVID-19 entry requirements now that countries are beginning to relax them.
Let’s start with the Caribbean destinations:
Barbados: Now all unvaccinated visitors no longer are need to quarantine for three days upon arrival, given that a negative COVID test is presented at the airport. This can be achieved in two ways; a test can be taken in Barbados at the airport or a visitor can present a negative test result that was taken within three days of arrival.
Bare in mind, vaccinated visitors are no longer required to submit a test as long as proof of vaccination is presented.
Trinidad & Tabago: The TTravel Pass is being phased out of use therefore it is no longer a requirement. All visitors are required to provide either a negative test result, taken within 48 hours of arrival, or proof of vaccination. Accepted methods of vaccination proof include a physical copy, the we code, or the digital vaccination card.
U.S. Virgin Islands: Previously, visitors were mandated to fill out pre-entry forms through the USVI Travel Screening Portal in order to gain access to the Islands. As of now, they are doing away with the forms. Instead, proof of vaccination or a negative test, taken within five days of arrival, are accepted.
Now onto Europe:
France, Germany, Portugal and Spain have opened up their boarders for summer travel. Upon arrival, there may be requirements of proof of vaccination or negative test results within a particular time frame. Check with your airline to understand each country/cities expectations.
With the Italian Health Minister deciding not to extend COVID-19 visitor protocols, majority of the current regulations for European countries are set to expire June 1st. This comes after Italy suspended its passenger locator requirements, dropping the last of it’s entry restrictions.
Visitors should expected hassle free travel when entering the country, regardless of vaccination status.
With that said, masks are still require on all public transit and indoor venues, including restaurants. It is rumored that these mandates will not last much longer either. They are expected to be dropped by June 15th.
As far as the world is concerned, it is probably safe to start believing that the rest of the world will soon be following Italy’s lead. Being that Italy was the first country to place to enter lockdown back in 2020, maintaining the strictest requirements, this significant and symbolic act of the last COVID-19 era entry restrictions dropping, will send a message that summer travel is welcomed this year.